Lately, it seems more and more people, including our leaders, prioritize accomplishing items from their checklist as opposed to doing things well. Decisions are made based on deadlines instead of doing things right. The checklist becomes so important, nothing else matters.
Do not let timelines, schedules, or checklists get in the way of doing things well. Prioritize getting things get done right, or not at all.
Just Be Better
Stay Healthy, Stay Strong.
What do you do when things get tough? Do you have a plan?
There are many people out there trying to tell you how to handle difficult situations. Which one should you listen to? I cannot answer it for you. All I can tell you is what I do. When things get tough, I put my right foot forward, then my left, and repeat until I am successful. What’s your plan?
Just Be Better
Stay Strong, Stay Healthy
Sometimes it is better to stop thinking about something “painful” and just get it done. The anticipation of the pain that is coming is often worse than the outcome itself (Harvard Business Review). The expectation of pain creates fear. While in the fear stage, one creates an image of what might happen to them. The fear paralyzes the person, and nothing gets done. False Expectations Adjust Reality (FEAR as per Tony Blauer)
To be successful, you have to face your fears and do difficult things. Some say, do the hard stuff first; they call it eating the frog. Others say, do what makes you feel comfortable first(i.e., clean your desk), then attack the problem. Whichever method works for you, do it! Stop thinking and start doing.
Just Be Better
Stay Strong, Stay Healthy
The other day, someone told me that I could do the things that I do because of all of the training that I have done and that I would not be as successful without the training. I was a little taken aback, not because I was jealous, but for that fact that they were wrong. Training is not the hard part and it is not the reason why I am successful. Having the mindset, attitude, and discipline to consistently train is the is why I am successful.
I responded, “Anyone can train. If you want to get better, you have to train hard, get out of your comfort zone, and train consistently. I am able to do what I do because when things get tough, I do not become the victim, and I refuse to feel sorry for myself. “
Just Be Better
Stay Strong, Stay Healthy
Yesterday, a client failed to show up to a meeting. I called and left a message. This happens from time to time. I work with these clients and try to help them with thier organization and their communiation.
The next morning, I got an email response from the client claiming that he never got the original email detailing the meeting schedule, including the date and time. The only problem with this argument is the client sent his response to me as a reply to the original email, which outlined the date, time, and purpose of our meeting.
I do not have time for clients who lie to me. I am not desperate for their money. I responded to this client by stating that we would no longer work together.
Everyday is an Interview.
Just Be Better
Stay Strong, Stay Healthy
As a science supervisor for a high school district, I have many responsibilities. The most important is safety. My primary mission at work is that our students and staff should return home as safely as when they entered one of my schools.
Part of my job includes interacting with vendors. There are a lot of them. Most of the time, I do not need their adverts as we are not looking to invest in their area of the educational market for our schools. One such advert came to me the other day. It was from a lab supply company with a picture of a young lady pouring a green chemical into a yellow cabinet. The young lady was not wearing goggles. I was dumbfounded.
I sent the advert to my co-author to get his point of view. He could not believe a reputable company could make such a mistake. He actually contacted the company and voiced his concern. The company made apologies and corrected the advert.
We get complacent when things go well. “There has not been a lab accident in 27 years!” Great, but it does not mean you can neglect your duty to protect your students and staff. Do things right, fight complacency, and be guided by your primary mission.
Just Be Better
Stay Healthy, Stay Strong
My First Book, the Science Laboratory Safety Manual” 4th ed is now out. Please tell any of your contacts in science education and administration. This book will help them keep their students and their staff safe and help keep their districts out of situations that could be litigious. You can find more information about the book at the following link.
One of our new white belts at Taekwondo is a seminary study who is doing a residency at the local church. At the end of his first session, our Master Instructor had a discussion with him about the church and church etiquette. One of the Master Instructor’s issues was people wearing flip-flops to church. He believed that people should dress up and not be so casual. The seminarian did an excellent job of explaining his views.
When you attend an event that is important to you, show your best. Your best demonstrates the respect that you have for the event and the people around you. Remember that other people’s best may not meet your standards, and your best might not meet other peoples’ standards. The old flip-flops may be all one can afford. Don’t cast them aside as their character may benefit yours. It is their character, not their material goods, that can influence your growth.
Just Be Better
Stay Strong, Stay Healthy.
This weekend, I got to run a Spartan Race for the first time in 18 months. As usual, I ran with my brother. We typically start the season with an easier warm-up race, such as the Citifield Stadion. However, that was postponed until November and we had to start with the 6.5-mile (yeah right, try 7.8-mile per my Garmin) Palmerton Super. The first mile was 1 mile straight up a 1000 foot ski run. At the top, we had to do a couple of obstacles, then come down the mountain, sometimes on some sketchy terrain due to the rain and the chosen path, and then some more obstacles. At this point, you are almost 3 miles into the race when you have to go back up the hill. This time it was in the woods. The climb was more suited for combat boots than for OCR sneakers. It was scary, but no injuries. Had to duck a few falling rocks though. It was a challenge, but we came out better for it.
The volunteers make the race. There are some that encourage you, some that work hard for you, and some that are just trying to complete their shift so they can get a free race. The best was the guy at the top of the mountain congratulating every racer, giving him or her a high five, and stopping to tell each racer how great they are was awesome. I need to create a job and hire him to great everyone who comes to work (or maybe I need to act more like him). The two guys in the parking lot were engaging, funny, and organized. (This was so much better than last time when it took over 35 minutes to park). I need to hire them too to move all of the buses, students, and staff members in the morning. Their efficiency, attitude, and cheerfulness made a difficult challenge positive. Everyone they interacted with smiled. All three volunteers passed the interview.
Some of the volunteers at the water station were great. There had cups filled with water for every racer as they arrived at the station. Their areas were clean, and they were able to answer the racers’ questions while providing motivation. At other stations, there were long lines as each racer tried to fill their own cups, waiting until the volunteers got around to refilling the containers. It is hard to fill buckets with water when you are on the phone talking about how great it is that you are volunteering at a Spartan Race.
The worst was the bag check guy. At the end of the race, you show the bag check guy teh number onyour armband and the matching band and number on your bag or bucket. When I went to show him mine, he didn’t even look at the numbers. He just waved me on. My brother was fit to be tied when the guy just waved him along without even looking at his tag. My brother made us check our stuff right in front of the careless volunteer to make sure nothing was stolen. I do not think the volunteer got the meaning of our action.
The volunteers all got the same reward, but only some got my respect.
All in all, the race was a great success for me and my brother. We have a long way to go (me more than him), but we were better. The event was well organized and it was a nice start to the OCR season. Next Saturday’s 18-mile event over three races in one morning and early afternoon should be “fun”, but at least, it is on a flat course.
Recently, I was sitting in a Zoom workshop where two College Researchers were presenting their topic. Unfortunately, they based their conclusions on their beliefs and not any quantifiable research.
As a rule, I do not attend workshops and conferences to hear about one’s beliefs. To me, that is nothing more than a talk show without the free gifts under the seats. Show me proof with evidence-based arguments.
The presenters’ poor form goes against what we teach our students to do
“Never waste the audience’s time.”
“Feelings do not equal evidence-based facts.”
Regardless of their message, these two “researchers” were the most uninspired presenters. Why is it so hard for presenters to prepare, engage, and inspire their audience? These presenters did not work to be effective, both as researchers and as presenters. They had no respect for the audience’s time. During the break, I heard one ask the other, “How are you doing?” The questioned speaker responded, “Good, now that I am done.” Ugh!
I was so disappointed. If I am going to give you my time, be enthusiastic about your topic and make sure it comes through. Put in the effort and demonstrate that you respect my attendance, my attention, and my engagement. If you hire a speaker, make sure they know how to value the time of the attendees. If they don’t, remove them from the “stage” and redirect the workshop. Make the point that you respect your attendees’ time.
Just Be Better.
Stay Healthy, Stay Strong.
Recently, I was in the market for a new car. I had just paid off my car and it started to have issues that were becoming more and more expensive. I went online and picked a replacement car to check out. I called the local dealership and set up an appointment for 3:30 on Saturday. My wife and I arrived at 3:15. The salesman was working on another sale. He gave us the keys to the car and let us take it out for a test ride. When we got back, he was still busy. We had to wait. Finally, 25 minutes later, he got to us.
When I make an appointment, I expect the parties involved to keep the schedule. If they cannot, I expect them to let me know. I do not feel like sitting in your waiting room watching TV.
If someone walks into my office without an appointment and I have a meeting coming up, I let them know when I will leave to address my schedule and arrange a time to continue our impromptu session. I do not want to keep people waiting because I am trying to make everyone happy. It never works.
Keep you appointments, Keep your word.
Just Be Better
Stay Healthy, Stay Strong.
Everyday is an Interview 